Children's Home run by Shropshire Council in Shropshire

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2558682 1

p.1

Shropshire Council

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This local authority-run home offers support, education and care for two children who may have experienced neglect, abuse or trauma which has left them vulnerable. The manager of the home was registered with Ofsted in February 2020 and holds the relevant level 5 qualification.

p.1

This monitoring visit

The purpose of this monitoring visit was to follow up concerns that Ofsted had received about the home and to monitor progress made since the home was registered in February 2020. The inspection was undertaken remotely. Staff, children and professionals were spoken to via telephone, a video tour of the home was conducted, and the inspector reviewed a range of records.

p.1

This monitoring visit

Children living at the home can display challenging behaviours, including violence and self-harm. There have been many physical interventions. However, records show that these are appropriate and proportionate. The recording of these interventions is good. Staff and children are spoken with following these incidents, and their views and opinions are gathered to try to prevent reoccurrence. Managers and staff are working with a range of professionals to reduce these incidents.

p.1

This monitoring visit

Staff are well supported and receive a comprehensive training package. They receive individual supervision with the home’s manager and group consultations with a mental health professional. One member of staff said, ‘I feel really supported by not just my manager and colleagues, but also by external professionals connected to the children.’ The responsible individual is also very involved in the running of the home and has daily conversations with the manager. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2558682 2 Staff have been creative in keeping children busy since COVID-19 (coronavirus) restrictions were enforced. Children receive education and engage in a broad range of activities in the home and outside the home, while observing government restrictions. The manager has used an off-site residential provision to good effect, which children have enjoyed.

p.1

This monitoring visit

Children’s views and opinions are regularly sought through house meetings, individual feedback forms and keyworking sessions. Both children are positive about the home and like living there. Both children said that they like the staff.

p.2

This monitoring visit

The home is spacious and well appointed. Children have decorated their rooms as they wish. In communal areas, there are photographs of children with staff, which children chose. A homely and nurturing feeling prevails.

p.2

This monitoring visit

The home is situated on a main road, and cars drive past the home at speed. Most of the property boundary is secure. However, the driveway gate at the front of the property is left open during the day. There have been 11 incidents when children have left the home via this gate and got into the road. There is no risk assessment in relation to this. This means that existing mitigation of local risks is ineffective.

p.2

This monitoring visit

There have been several safeguarding incidents since the home opened. Staff receive training in safeguarding children and are clear of their responsibilities. However, on two occasions, the manager failed to notify Ofsted promptly of safeguarding concerns. This compromises Ofsted’s ability to monitor safeguarding practice in the home.

p.2

This monitoring visit

The manager and staff realise the importance of effective multi-agency working. Feedback from external professionals was consistently positive. One young person’s social worker said, ‘The staff are brilliant and deal with high levels of challenging behaviours from the children. They are always calm and have great relationships with the children.’ Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2558682 3

p.2

Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’. The registered person(s) must comply within the given timescales.

p.3

Requirement Due date

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

p.3

Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

p.3

Requirement Due date

that the premises used for the purposes of the home are located so that children are effectively safeguarded. (Regulation 12 (1)(2)(c))

p.3

Requirement Due date

In particular, give consideration to whether the gated drive offers enough protection to keep children safe. 10/07/2020

p.3

Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if—

p.3

Requirement Due date

a child is involved in or subject to, or is suspected of being involved in or subject to, sexual exploitation;

p.3

Requirement Due date

an incident requiring police involvement occurs in relation to a child which the registered person considers to be serious;

p.3

Requirement Due date

there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there;

p.3

Requirement Due date

a child protection enquiry involving a child—

p.3

Requirement Due date

concludes (in which case, the notification must include the outcome of the child protection enquiry); or

p.3

Requirement Due date

there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40 (4)(a)(b)(c)(d)(i)(ii)(e)) 10/07/2020 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2558682 4

p.3

Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the children’s home since its last Ofsted inspection.

p.4

Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000.

p.4

Information about this inspection

Ofsted is aware of the challenges that COVID-19 is currently posing to those we inspect. During this visit, the inspectors took into consideration the impact of any measures being taken to slow the spread of COVID-19 by the home. This has included the effect these have had on staffing arrangements.

p.4

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Shirehall, Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury, Shropshire SY2 6ND

p.4

Inspector

Ricky D’Arcy, social care inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2558682 5 to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children’s social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

p.4

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.5

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.5

Inspector

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: http://www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.5